How to Make Your Own Printable Bookmarks for Free

Creating homemade bookmarks is fun and simple. You can download and print bookmark templates, using word processing software, to create and design personalized bookmarks. By following a few short steps, creating your own printable bookmarks can be an easy process.

Things You'll Need

Card stock

Construction paper

Scissors

Glue stick or regular glue

Stencils (various shapes and designs)

Hole puncher (optional)

Yarn or ribbon (optional)

Markers (optional)

Glitter pens (optional)

Step 1

Open a blank word processing document using Open Office or Microsoft Word. Find the file tool bar (usually near the top of a blank document) and click “New Document” or a similarly named option. Depending on the year and type of word processing software, another window should open with a “Templates” feature. Scroll through the templates and look for the “Bookmarks” category. For example, if using Microsoft Word 2007, try the Microsoft search engine at the top of the screen if you are unable to locate the document in the templates window. Enter the keyword “bookmark.” Select a template and double-click.

Step 2

Load card stock into the printer and print the bookmark onto the card stock paper. Cut out the bookmark using scissors.

Step 3

Use the stencil to make different shapes and designs on the bookmark. For example, if you want to make a “Valentine’s Day” themed bookmark, choose stencils with heart shapes. Trace the stencil and position in different places on the bookmark. For extra flair, trace the outline of the heart shape with a glitter pen in your favorite color. Allow the glitter glue to air dry for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

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Step 4

Draw shapes and designs on regular construction paper and color with markers or colored pencils. Cut and glue onto the bookmark.

Step 5

Add a hole at the top of the bookmark using the hole puncher. Thread yarn or ribbon through the hole and tie the two loose ends together.

Tips & Warnings

Laminate your bookmarks, to make them extra sturdy, at a local office supplies store or purchase laminating or contact paper and laminate at home.

Add quotes to your bookmarks for a more personalized touch (see Resources).

Add pictures or logos to your bookmark by using clip-art or a similarly named option in your word processing software.